Plans to build Hills of Oxford condominiums under way

OXFORD TWP. -- The first model home for Hills of Oxford could be built this year as plans for 52 new homes on M-24 move forward.

Robertson Brothers, a Bloomfield Hills-based residential builder and developer, is working on final drawings for detached condominiums on the east side of M-24, just north of Indian Lake Road. Starting at $200,000, the condos will join a neighborhood of 58 existing homes on the site. The 20-acre property on Scenic Way Street consists of five stacked flats and townhouses.

"You're literally within walking distance of downtown Lake Orion," said Jim Clarke, president of Robertson Brothers.

Originally, zoning for the property allowed 204 total units, but the current project will only include 110 homes.

Advertisement

"Robertson Brothers has done a good job of taking a stagnant project and developing it into a development that will be beneficial to us and to the residents living over there," said Joe Ferrari, Oxford Township Treasurer. "It won't have nearly the density that was originally proposed.

"I think it's a good idea to have the lesser density. I think, over in that part of the township, there will be less of a strain on the infrastructure in terms of the roads and things like that. It will be a nice mixed-use project. Plus, I'm not sure if the market is out there for what was originally proposed."

Robertson Brothers bought 17 of the 20 acres from a private owner, who went into foreclosure. The proposed project is $13 million, Clarke said.

If it is approved by the Board of Trustees this summer, Robertson Brothers will build a model home and start selling units by the end of the year, he said.

Built to suit, the homes will be either 1,600-square-foot ranch or 1,900-square-foot cape cod-style houses. Each one will have an open concept kitchen and family room, full basement and two-car garage. Plans for the ranch house include a master bedroom suite on the first floor and space for a second bedroom or den. The cape cod homes will have additional space upstairs for a bedroom, bathroom and a loft; or two bedrooms and a bathroom.

The project is aimed at people ages 55 years and older, who want something with easy maintenance they can leave for months at a time, Clarke said.

The township Board of Trustees approved preliminary plans, but the builders still have to finalize details with the Zoning Board of Appeals and have final drawings approved by the board. The property already was zoned multi-family residential, but the township Planning Commission created a special planned unit development zone for the subdivision.